My friends and I get together every so often to do some survival training. The premise is usually along the lines of finding water sources, establishing communications, and reporting on general conditions of any area. We also conduct simple training in small unit tactics, basically working in a small team of men, unsupported by outside forces or groups.
This is one of the only ways ex-Mil folks with Infantry-related professions can keep up their skills, as these skills are very perishable. For most training situations, we carry airsoft guns, which look real, but only fire 6mm plastic BB's, using air charged by an electric motor. One can purchase biodegradable BB's, which break down over time, as they are made from whatever the heck they are, and not plastic. Less waste = good.
Here is the WikiPedia article on Airsoft: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft
Stockton Flats is a great place to train in these areas, as it's quiet and receives low traffic. Often times I end up carrying out a fair amount of trash.
This area is also popular with hunters.
-=Techno-Babble and Notes=-
On the 18th, we headed to Stockton Flat to check out a small peak I've wanted to scout for a while. I had initially wanted to check the southernmost extension of water sources in Coldwater Canyon, as I often hear a waterfall flowing there, yet have not gone in to check it out myself. We changed plans as time went by, as usual. We did not check out the watersource. Instead, we sat around resting for a while, and bounded back to the road, across the wash, and then back to the truck.
We hiked up the small peak, which I labelled "Observation Point" (how creative) a few years ago. This peak is essential for any group staying in the area for any length of time, and if that group travels by vehicles other than motorcycle, it is completely necessary to hold this ground. It has a near 360 degree view and is basically only accessible by foot, as the slopes are steep scree and dirt with no major trails to support so much as a bike. The south 'face' drops off steeply, up to about 60 degrees (in places) of broken up rock (LOTS of shale) and dirt with plenty of brush. The whole hill is covered in brush, and a ton of Buckthorn (yay fun). The distance from the long summit ridge to the primary road (3n06) is about 250-300 meters, within rifle range. Controlling this point means controlling Stockton Flat, period. One can see all the way down to the rifle range where Lytle Creek Road loses its pavement and turns to gravel and is named 3n06.
The most secure way to remove OPFOR from this ridgeline would be a light mechanized movement from the southwest, with APC/IFV's moving north on Baldy Road from Baldy Notch, with dismounts providing long range rifle support from the end of the ridge, near where it meets the road. A light infantry team tasked with holding the ridge would have a hard time repelling an attack from this angle, due to bringing AT gear (heavy) up the ridge. One or two APC's would be able to put some serious pressure on an occupying team, while their dismounts would move on the objective and clear it with support provided by Designated Marksmen and the APC's weapons. The enemy would be forced east or northeast, off the hill.
The ridge receives cell phone reception (in case you get stuck in the area).
After we moved off the hill, we simulated an ambush coming from the ridgeline (rather comically, at the start), simulating our need to GTFO (Get The Fuck Out). Team broke the simulated contact, and bounded back to the road. Spotted two dirtbikes and one white Toyota Tundra pickup moving towards our position. Due to heavy brush, we heard the vehicles before we saw them. Bikes passed within 200 meters.
Team laid prone while bikes passed. Truck pulled off further east next to the hill, in one of the camping spots. Team provided cover while individual members crossed road. Team needs work on this, as communication was fractured, and spacing was bad. Taco and Tim stuck together while John was too far east, and out of communication with rest of team.This was my fault, as I bounded up a different line than John. Bounding overwatch across riverbed, reaching other side without issue. Tim held position, Taco met up with John, team moved back to Tim's position. Bikes rode past again, heading back east, leaving area altogether.
Team headed west, slowly patrolling in riverbed (also need work on this!!!), reaching our vehicle. Cleared vehicle (practically speaking, no broken windows! Yay!), and broke down gear to exfil. End of a great day of training.
On the drive down, we tried to help a couple remove their Infiniti G35/Skyline sedan from 3n06. They had made a U-turn, and got the car stuck deep in gravel and rocks. The G35 is a luxury sedan which is not suited to this road at all. We blew through some 550 cord trying to get them out. A pickup truck arrived just as we finished up. Hope everything went well for them!
Pictures with Notes
Observation Point
J behind a log
J in his mix and match camo, which worked very well for him.
T in current Army pattern ACU, which doesn't work for crap anywhere except on the friggin' moon, and in rocky washes.
T moving up while J takes a knee behind concealment.
J on the ridge, nearly skylined from most perspectives. We would not want to do this typically, but a compromise is reached when folks are not "in the groove" yet, physically and/or mentally. It takes a while to settle back into a groove, and be more alert and fit.
Looking towards Lytle Creek Ridge
J at high ready, and Dawson Peak
Telegraph Peak and the northern ridge
"BS" on the summit of Observation Point
Tele again
Photoshoot for my buddy, who is a custom bladesmith up north. He sends me blades to try out. I currently have one small knife (1in blade) to try out this winter as a good small climbing knife. Simple design with a good belly. Cuts cord well, and the big belly also helps you spread cheese or other spreads, good for food prep, which is a biggy for me for a 'climbing knife'.
Looking towards Wrightwood
T out in the open. A camo is only as good as its use, and where you position yourself, but ACU is ineffective here regardless.
Sliding down a scree slope (very loud)
J after we crossed the riverbed
J clearing the truck. On the practical side, no broken glass!!!!
Yours truly providing cover
Typical setup for summer/dry mountain work. Special gear (which I didn't bring this time) for the SG's would include a very lightweight rack, consisting of one set of nuts (doubles on mid range), 6 or so sewn slings in subdued colors (various lengths to 48"), 2x cordelettes, Black Diamond Alpine Bod harness, a handful of biners, three locking biners, belay device (Petzl Reverso 3 for me), and one dynamic rope. Winter brings crampons and ice tools or one ice axe into the equation. Axe or tools in the SG's really depends more on personal preferance, though a single long axe is most practical. Difference for training is, you don't really get a choice what you descend or ascend.
Trying to pull a G35 out!
hold off drinking creek water until they can boil it. That's crazy. If you're in a survival situation in the desert and you find water, you generally want to drink unless there's some obvious, immediate reason not to. One would